Current Students

Institute For Urban Education (IUE)

The UMKC School of Education’s Institute for Urban Education (IUE) is a 4-year teacher education program — the first undergraduate program of its kind in the United States — that leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary or middle school education. Students may be admitted their sophomore or junior years depending on the number of applicable hours already completed. The program focuses on teaching math, science and literacy. The program prepares teachers for success in urban classrooms by also introducing issues of social justice and multicultural learning styles. IUE students receive scholarships and, in exchange, commit to teach in a Kansas City area urban partner district for at least four years following graduation.

1. General UMKC admission

Applicants to the School of Education’s Institute for Urban Education (IUE) must first be accepted into UMKC.

Applications are available at umkc.edu/admissions for students not already admitted to UMKC. A $35 on-line application fee is required, or $45 when submitting a paper application. Indicate on the Admissions Application that you are applying to the School of Education’s Institute for Urban Education.

Official ACT and/or SAT scores, and an official transcript(s) are also required to complete the UMKC Admissions Application.

UMKC’s Office of Admissions processes Admission Applications as they are received. Please note it may take up four to six weeks to be accepted into UMKC. Only after you are admitted to UMKC will your information be shared with the IUE office.

2. Personal statement

Please attach to your UMKC Application for Admission, a typed personal statement of approximately 750 words, addressing your interest and commitment to urban education. You may also explain why you have chosen education and why you think you will be an effective teacher in an urban school.

3. Supplemental IUE Application and supporting materials

In addition to the UMKC Application for Admission, you must also apply to the School of Education’s Institute for Urban Education. Click here for the 2016-17 IUE application.

Items 1-3 (above) must be submitted together as a packet.

4. Letters of Reference

Two letters of reference are required. Do not use relatives. At least one should be from an educator or from someone familiar with your past experience working with youth. Both letters should be submitted using the reference forms located on the IUE application. The forms and letters of reference should be kept confidential, signed, and submitted in sealed envelopes to IUE Admissions, c/o School of Education Student Services, 615 E. 52nd St., Kansas City, MO 64110.

5. FAFSA

All students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. The form can be found at fafsa.ed.gov and must be submitted between Jan. 1 and March 1 of each year.

7. Interview

Once admitted to UMKC, the files of IUE applicants will be reviewed by the School of Education’s IUE Office. Potential finalists will be contacted for personal interviews by the IUE office.